BREAKING NEWS! Scarecrows overrun Haxby and Wigginton

Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May

This May bank holiday weekend sees the return of the legendary Haxby and Wigginton Methodist Church Scarecrow Festival. And this year is set to be even bigger and better!

Over the last 13 years, residents of Haxby and Wigginton have channelled their creative energy to create a crowd-pleasing display of life-size straw characters – something you have to see to believe! It’s been such a popular event with visitors of all ages that it has become a firm fixture in the yearly calendar.

Last year, an incredible 150 scarecrows popped up in front gardens overnight. Peter Rabbit was seen munching on some carrots, Postman Pat was doing his rounds and Harry and Meghan even made a surprise visit, amongst many more.

As you can imagine, there’s some fierce competition to win the crowd’s favourite with the standard getting better and better every year.

This year will be no different, but you’ll not have to search for a needle in a haystack as there will be marked routes of varying lengths to choose from over the weekend. What’s more, proceeds from tickets sold will go to good causes.

The chosen charities for 2019’s Scarecrow Festival include the Common Good Charity, based in South Africa, as well as Wigginton Grasshoppers Football Club. Also added to this year’s list of recipients are SASH, who work to prevent homelessness in North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire, and Marie Curie.

Over £5,200 was raised last year with the proceeds going to Christian Aid, Wigginton Old School, Oaken Grove Community Centre and the Special Care Baby Unit. So this year, Haxby and Wigginton Methodist Church are wanting to break the record.

The now yearly event first started in 2007 after a church member visited South Africa to be involved in a project that supports people in townships, and wanted to help raise their profile at home. So, the idea of a scarecrow festival was born, and it’s been a success ever since.

Refreshments, snacks and cakes will be available throughout the weekend too, so you can refuel ahead of your route or compare notes afterwards over a tea or coffee.

Each trail costs £2.50 or choose all five for £10. Tickets are available from Haxby and Wigginton Methodist Church from 10am to 4.30pm.

Refreshments and toilets are situated at Oaken Grove Community Centre.

Follow the fun on twitter @HWScarecrowFest and use #hwsf19 to share your favourite.